The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are getting lighter and summer is, we hope, on its way. Accordingly, those festival announcements that you’ve been shrugging at throughout the cold, bleak winter months are beginning to pique your interest.
This week, Black Sabbath were added to the running order for British Summer Time at Hyde Park, bringing Soundgarden, Faith No More, Motorhead, Soulfly and more along for a nice day out. That’s one hell of a bill if you’re a fan of anything rock and/or metal.
Likewise, over in Poland, Open’er yesterday announced that Jack White, he of new album and constant speculation fame, would headline the latest edition of the festival with help from Foals, Interpol, Foster The People and more. Again, not too shabby at all.
Here, in no particular order, we’ve compiled just a few more of the line ups that made us take a step back and collect our thoughts, which ranged from excitement, to nostalgia and bank balance-berating jealousy. Read on, Portaloo fans.
Coachella
The big news here was the return of Outkast, to celebrate 20 years since the release of their debut, ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’, but as they’re now playing every festival on Earth, that’s less of a draw. What you will get at Coachella, which takes place in California at the end of this month, is more than enough to make up for a lack of exclusivity though.
Among the acts booked alongside the headliners, Outkast, Muse and Arcade Fire, are the Replacements, the Afghan Whigs, LanaDelRey, Neko Case, Lorde, AFI, Pet Shop Boys, Nas, the Dismemberment Plan, Superchunk and Haim. There are good times to be had here, count on it.
This wee beauty of a festival seemingly gets better year on year. Complementing the stunning natural beauty of the Glanusk Estate in the Brecon Beacons this time around are Neutral Milk Hotel, Beirut, Kurt Vile, Daughter, Sharon van Etten, Bill Callahan, Caribou and Real Estate.
Slacker favourite Mac DeMarco’s new album, ‘Salad Days’, should provide more laid back vibes for his set, while Angel Olsen, fresh from releasing the haunting, brilliant ‘Burn Your Fire For No Witness’ will be a more intense highlight. Lots to be getting on with here.
Staged in Clisson, France, Hellfest might just have the most complete line up of any festival this year. One for the metallers, the sheer breadth of this bill is enough to make your head spin. So, headlining are Iron Maiden, Aerosmith and Black Sabbath, with help from Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, Soundgarden, Emperor, Trivium, Rob Zombie, Status Quo and Megadeth.
That’s before you even get into the fact that black metal titans Watain and Behemoth will play, as will the legendary Carcass and Opeth. For the punk fans out there, Millencolin, Against Me!, Comeback Kid, Turbonegro and Misfits are also included. We could go on, we really could.
Balance is very, very important when it comes to festivals, and Denmark’s renowned Roskilde has nailed the established/emerging mix. The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, DamonAlbarn, Drake and the mighty Stevie Wonder are among the major names, while lower down on the bill there are plenty of tasty treats to savour.
You want metal? Let’s talk Deftones, Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals and the Black Dahlia Murder. Want to dance? Go see Diplo, Kavinsky or drift away at Darkside’s set. Hip hop? How about Chance The Rapper, Earl Sweatshirt or A$AP Ferg? Something a bit more challenging? Try Future of the Left, Mogwai or Moderat on for size. Bases covered.
This event, held at Fernhill Farm near Bristol, has long been a Stereoboard favourite and this year, they’ve put together their most ambitious line up to date. Headlining are Japanese post-rock pioneers MONO, This Will Destroy You, Russian Circles and God is an Astronaut, with plenty more to discover elsewhere.
If unearthing new music and rough gems takes precedence over names for you, then ArcTanGent should be a good fit. With its line up veering towards the more experimental end of the rock spectrum, acts include Tall Ships, Maybeshewill, Jamie Lenman, Lite, Tera Melos, Mylets, Her Name is Calla, I Like Trains, El Ten Eleven, Year of No Light, Fen, And So I Watch You From Afar and Three Trapped Tigers. Go on, find something different.
Click here to compare & buy Black Sabbath Tickets at Stereoboard.com.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
